The danger of holding powerful to account

Australian journalist Peter Greste, who works for Al Jazeera English, has been charged with spreading false news to aid the Muslim Brotherhood, recently outlawed by Egyptís military-backed government.

JURIS GRESTE: The whole of Peterís family is still in a state of shock since Peterís arrest on the 29th of December.

... Heís still in Cairoís maximum security prison in solitary confinement and without any charges.

— ABC News 24, 21st January, 2014

Hello Iím Paul Barry. Welcome to Media Watch.

And letís kick off the new year with a reminder that holding governments to account can be a dangerous job.

As this program goes to air, Australian TV reporter, Peter Greste, is sitting in a cold cell in Cairo, where he has been in solitary for more than a month.

The 48-year-old, who works for Al Jazeera English, has now been charged with spreading false news to aid the Muslim Brotherhood, recently outlawed by Egyptís military-backed government.

But in a letter smuggled from his cell the award-winning reporter who has worked for the BBC and CNN says he is entirely innocent.

We had been doing exactly as any responsible, professional journalist would - recording and trying to make sense of the unfolding events with all the accuracy, fairness and balance that our imperfect trade demands ...

How do you accurately and fairly report on Egypt's ongoing political struggle without talking to everyone involved?

— ABC News Online, 30th January, 2014

With Australian journalists petitioning for his release, and the Australian Government and UN doing their best, Greste has some chance of being freed.

But his Egyptian producer and bureau chief, who are in a jail reserved for terrorists, may not be so lucky.

Nor will another 17 Al Jazeera journalists who are set to be charged.

Greste writes in his letter ...

The state will not tolerate hearing from the MB or any other critical voices.

The prisons are overflowing with anyone who opposes or challenges the government.

— ABC News Online, 30th January, 2014

But Egyptís generals are not the only ones out to kill press freedom.

Worldwide, more than 200 reporters and editors are now behind bars, with 100 in Turkey, Iran and China.

Another 50 reporters on average are killed each year, with Russia and the Philippines among the most dangerous places to hold the powerful to account.

So as 2014 begins, let us thank our lucky stars it does not happen here in Australia.

Pete :

Filipio :

Journalism is a much maligned occupation. The act of determinedly 'speaking truth to power' illustrates the best of its role, and the finest of its practitioners.

I hope the ABC and its journalists will weather the current storm and the base political motives underpinning it with a commitment to hold the powerful to account remaining undiminished.

The more the government of the day and their shouting, ranting lackeys try to undermine the ABC the more it confirms how needed this institution is for those who value the core ethics and contributions of journalism.